UCSD Student "Forgotten by DEA" to Get Millions: Source

The UC San Diego student who was left for days in a DEA holding cell has reached a settlement NBC 7 has learned. Dave Summers reports on what one legal analyst believes may be the price. (Published Tuesday, July 30, 2013)

The UC San Diego student was at a friend’s house in University City celebrating 4/20, a day many marijuana users set aside to smoke, when agents came inside and raided the residence.

Man Forgotten in DEA Custody Speaks

Daniel Chong, the UC San Diego student who was left in a Drug Enforcement Agency holding cell for nearly five days, said the time spent in his cell was a life-altering experience. NBC 7's Tony Shin reports. (Published Wednesday, May 2, 2012)

More than a year later the DEA that put him there is paying the price.

Defense attorney Gretchen Von Helms, who is not representing Chong, previously estimated the settlement could be in the $2-3 million range.

“You break it down into the pain and suffering and how horrible this could have been for the family. They didn't know where he was, all the anguish the family went through and the young man went through,” Von Helms said.

Eventually Chong was discovered and the DEA issued a formal apology.

Man "Forgotten" in DEA Custody: Images

Since then, Chong has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and is being treated by a doctor who normally treats veterans who have returned from battle.

Iredale said the doctor has "never seen stress or trauma as significant" as Chong's situation.

"He really did sustain a near-death experience,” Iredale said.

No criminal action will be taken against any individual officers, Iredale said Tuesday, but they hope there is at least a rebuke of the officer's alleged actions.